TRANSNISTRIA

by Maximilian Mann

A country with its own military, its own
currency and flag, but a country which doesn’t officially exist. Transnistria
is a country not recognized by any other state in the world. It was formed when
the Soviet Union collapsed and the Russian-speaking part in the east of Moldova
was concerned about their rights. In 1992 the conflict escalated and war
developed between Moldovan troops and the Russian army. Since then the conflict
has been frozen, but is far from being resolved.

Transnistria, caught between memories of
communism and an uncertain future, is a country in search of its identity. The
economic situation for the about half a million inhabitants is difficult; especially
the well-educated young people have few prospects in the area and emigrate,
mainly to Russia.

In his photo-essay, Maximilian deals with
the everyday life of the people, their hopes and wishes in a region almost
forgotten by the rest of Europe. In this way he also wants to give the viewer a
differentiated picture of an area that is often delineated as the "last
museum of communism".